Friday Fictioneers : Attack of the Trolley Trolls

 

copyright -Janet Webb

PHOTO PROMPT © Janet Webb

 

‘How did they get there?’ said Steph.

Nick shrugged.

‘I mean, I know idiots throw them in the canal.’ She looked out at the expanse of shimmering grey water. ‘But the lake.’

‘How are they floating?’ said Nick.

‘I don’t know but it’s really weird.’

Nick lit a cigarette, watched the smoke drift towards the silver chariots. ‘Trolls.’

‘What?’

‘Trolley Trolls.’

‘Trolls that steal trolleys?’ Steph folded her arms. ‘To what purpose?’

‘Maybe they got smashed and went joyriding. Or they used them to go hunt for billy goats.’

She laughed, sliding her arm through his.

 

Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s Friday Fictioneers. Write 100 words or fewer based on the photo prompt above. See here for full Ts and Cs.

This week I’ve mixed the prompt with my weekly thread W4W and I bring you two words for the price of one. TROLLEY (according to the Online Etymology Dictionary) was originally a Suffolk dialect word for a cart, especially one running on tracks. TROLL, from the Old Norse for supernatural giant, could have derived from a word for general supernatural occurences, such as the Swedish trolla (to charm, bewitch) and the Old Norse trolldomr meaning witchcraft. In the sagas you can apparently find troll-bulls, boar-trolls, troll-maidens, troll-wives, troll-women and the trollman (a magician or wizard).

What a lot of trolls.

And then there’s the modern phenomenon of internet trolls but those vile and loathsome creatures will have to wait for another post.

Thanks to Kat, the founder of W4W and all round lovely lady.

 

 

 

57 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers : Attack of the Trolley Trolls”

    1. Thanks C! Bit of silliness, I know, but then I did like the idea of trolls adapting to the urban environment as their habitats shrink and using shopping trolleys as vehicles. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Rochelle. Wasn’t quite sure about this one, but I do like writing dialogue 🙂 Thanks as always for your encouraging comments. Best wishes, Lynn

      Like

      Reply

    1. I’m glad to have found a fellow believer! Poor things find it hard enough to adjust to city life as it is – if we can raise awareness, perhaps people will be more accepting. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. Hahaha, it delights me to no end that our minds went in a similar direction this week. Send your folks over to me, then they’ll learn what it’s about. I love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. What fun wordplay! I’ve heard of trollmaidens before, but never trollmen; interesting stuff. Maybe the trolley are trolllmen trolleys — that would explain why they could be floating!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, I’m sure you’re right. You know, I wonder if trolls will be the next big thing? (Not the spiky haired dolls, the Norse trolls) We’ve exhausted vampires, werewolves, zombies – why not trolls. Proper scary ones. Hmm. Why not?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. Hahaha! Absolutely. None of that angsty, sparkly nonsense – spoils it for everyone.
        Want a cure for Twilight? Read Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist – VERY dark and nasty vampires (and humans) in that one 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Walt. Love that bikering, jokey banter. Thanks for reading. How’s your novel going, BTW? Making progress? And are you running a Halloween fest this year? If so, I’ll dust off my ‘spooky’ hat right now 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. Thanks for asking, Lynn. No, not much progress on the book. I think I may have picked the wrong book to start (I was considering one or two other ideas). I would like to do the Halloween thing again. Something about that time of year and the freedom to be dark usually inspires me, and it was fun to have others participate, so yes, planning too. Would love to have you contribute. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I know what you mean about beginning the right book – recently tried to begin the sequel to my YA novel but struggled as I’m unsure which way the plot should go (quite an issue, I’m sure you’ll agree). Started a different novel – a supernatural thriller – and flew. Perhaps a break will help fire your inspiration?
        Lovely news about Halloween. I’ll start thinking now 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Clever, clever, CLEVER, Lynn. Imagination rules here. Also a nice little treat of an ending, too. Something light and breezy … what??? No DARK???? Fine. We have enough darkness anyway.

    Five out of five Hobbit joyrides (they’re better than trolls any day!). 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Haha! Thanks Kent. Yes, surprised myself with the light one of this little bit of banter, though it’s nice to poke your head from out of the Haunted House occasionally 🙂
      I keep saying trolls have to be the next big thing – not the garish dolls, but proper, scary trolls. I wonder where that idea could lead us? Thanks for reading 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. That’s wonderful, Dawn – thank you 🙂 A bit of gentle banter, that’s all, but I did like the buzz around these two. Thanks for reading

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thank you 🙂 I keep saying, Trolls have to be the next big thing. We’re tired of vampires, werewolves, zombies – let’s have trolls, proper scary ones too! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thank you! Sadly, your trolls are an epidemic and I thought your piece on them was very thoughtful – being distanced from people, them being anonymous on the other side of the world dehumanises them, making it so much easier to say something hideous without thinking of the consequences. Perhaps one day our behaviour will adjust to accomodate technology and we’ll finally twig that the words we see online are written by people not computers. Thanks for reading

      Like

      Reply

      1. Right, it’s just sad that the best way to avoid it is to not use popular forms of social media. This app is actually very constructive, the majority of reading on here requires an attention span…which is unappealing to many people.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes, it is sad, especially so as many people who avoid such types of social media are the very thoughtful, empathetic folk that the media needs to balance out those who don’t think before typing. I’ve found WP to be a good place myself – a positive spot to be

        Like

      3. I loved the emphasis on empathy…i couldnt care less of what people say or think of me…But seeing people be so nasty to each over two horrible choices in this election makes me want to be a mediator or referee. Definitely a reflex from growing up in a household with a lot of arguing, lol

        Liked by 1 person

      4. It is what’s missing – recognising the type on the screen as a real person. And these things are horribly divisive as we here in the UK have just found out over our Brexit vote. The subject can split families – so horrible

        Like

      5. I’m not perfect…but it’s good to stop and think why we bind our hearts and emotions to politics and economics. Both have more meaning in society than they should.

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.